Struggling Giroux paired with Briere

New York Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist, left, of Sweden, blocks a shot by Philadelphia Flyers' Claude Giroux during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, in Philadelphia. The Flyers won 2-1. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

VOORHEES, N.J. --- Whether appointing him as the best player in the world or ordering a “C” stitched to his uniform, Peter Laviolette rarely resists singling out Claude Giroux for praise.

Criticism? That’s another shift.

Though Giroux has been limited to one even-strength goal in seven games, has appeared behind certain plays and is now being fitted with a familiar new linemate, Laviolette is not ready to connect his captain’s production to the Flyers’ success, either Friday in Washington … or longer.

“I think everybody’s got to get going in the right direction,” Laviolette said Thursday, after practice at the Skate Zone. “Certainly, Claude is one of those players that can change a game. But if it’s just Claude who shows up in Washington, we’re going to be in big trouble. Everybody’s got to play a little better.”

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Wouldn’t hurt.

But whether to spur an on-ice Giroux outburst --- or just because --- Laviolette is pairing Giroux with Danny Briere on a line with Wayne Simmonds, thus essentially committing his two most dangerous offensive players to one line. Though the Flyers spent most of practice Wednesday and Thursday on special-teams work, that new-ish top line was the most notable endeavor toward reversing their slow start.

“I have played with Danny a lot in the past and we have good chemistry,” Giroux said. “So the last game we played together, and and it is good to have him back in the lineup for us to do well.”

Such lineup changes can be obscured in the swirl of regulation-length NHL seasons, particularly so early in the schedule. But in the 48-event variety, all moves are magnified.

“We had some success with Matt Read on there and Wayne Simmonds,” Laviolette said, of the Giroux line. “But we weren’t generating as much offensively as we’d like to in New York. We switched it up in the third period and put Danny there.

“There’s probably going to be more switches, even if we reel off 10 in a row. There’s injuries that come into play, or somebody’s playing hot or somebody’s playing cold --- or whatever it is. But we like the mix we have in this room, and we need to go in and get a big win in Washington, I think.”

Not that they needed a formal introduction, but during the NHL lockout, Briere and Giroux played together in Germany. Briere has played just three games since recovering from a broken wrist, and has yet to produce a point. But he did rat-a-tat-tat 10 shots in a 2-1 loss Tuesday in Madison Square Garden, and should benefit from a prolonged opportunity with Giroux.

“Yeah, that’s the goal,” Briere said. “That’s the mindset we are going into Washington with. You always have to believe that. Lavy’s job is to find those combinations. When you are 2-5, obviously things are going to change. But when we get back on track, things are going to get more stable and we will work on some chemistry.”

Whatever the mix, the Flyers will likely sputter as long as Giroux is playing sluggish hockey. He has added captain’s duties this season, and did report some minor neck injury in Germany, requiring him to return home for treatment. When he leaked out of the Skate Zone Wednesday without meeting the press --- an unofficial captain’s duty, though one often waved off by both sides --- all speculation entered play.

But Giroux practiced fully Thursday and almost appeared shocked when asked afterward if he were 100 percent healthy.

“Yeah,” he said. “I mean, yeah.”

Giroux has not been on an injury report. Now, a new line … and a new start?

“It is only seven games into the season,” he said. “And in a season, you change your lines maybe 50 times. I mean, that’s the way hockey is. And whoever finds the chemistry as fast as possible to gather that is going to help us to success.”

Thus, the Flyers’ next plan: To have Briere help Giroux stir … and vice-versa.

“Yeah,” Giroux said. “I had a chance to play with Danny, actually, in Germany for a few months. So I know where he is on the ice and I know what kind of player he is. So we can feed off each other.”

Giroux has two goals and four points in seven games. Though, as his coach says, he is not singularly to blame for the three-games-below-.500 start, he knows he must produce if the Flyers are to succeed.

“Obviously, I am not happy with my game,” he said. “But like I said, it’s only seven games and it’s a long season. So I am staying positive and things are going to turn around pretty quick.

“I am not playing the way I want to on the ice. But it is early in the season. Usually, you get preseason games and stuff. But --- you know what? --- I am staying positive here. And I am sure we will get back on track soon here.”